Cambodian Children‘s House of Peace

CAMBODIA ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (BORDERS & VISA)

All foreign nationals (visa exemption for Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam) entering Cambodia are required to have a visa which is issued on arrival at Pochentong International Airport in Phnom Penh and at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport. A passport with at least 6 month validity and one (1) passport photo is required. The tourist visa is valid for one (1) month (30 days) and costs USD 20 (forms are distributed at the airports/borders or in the airplane). For additional days you may pay $3 a day, at the airport, when you leave the country.

For arrivals overland, tourist visas are issued at the following borders:

From Thailand: Poipet, Krong Koh Kong, O Smach, Psah Prom (Pailin)

From Laos: Dom Kralor

From Vietnam: Bavet, Phnom Den

Prior to your trip to Cambodia, it is the easiest way to apply for an evisa online to avoid long waiting lines at the visa booth. Please visit the following link to apply and to find the latest information about the possible entry points to Cambodia: www.loleitravel.com/evisa

CURRENCY & CREDIT CARDS

The local currency is the Cambodian Riel. However, US-Dollars are widely accepted and easily exchanged across the country. In larger cities and towns, most goods and services are priced in US-Dollars and there is little need to buy Riel as it is used for change below 1 Dollar only. In more remote areas, prices can be quoted in Riel (except for accommodation). In western districts, particularly Poipet, Pailin and Koh Kong the Thai Baht is widely used.

Traveler’s cheques in US-Dollars can be changed at most banks in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap as well as in all major tourist destinations.

Credit cards are well accepted in all major tourist destinations. However, it is advisable to carry some US-Dollars in cash (in small denominations). ATMs can now be found throughout the country. Almost all of them dispense in US dollars (please keep in mind that some ATMs can charge up to USD 4 per transaction).Canadia Bank currently does not charge for withdrawals.

AIRPORT & TAXES

For international departures out of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, a departure tax of USD 25 for adults and USD 13 for children (2-12) has to be paid on spot. For domestic flights, the departure tax is already included in your ticket (unless stated otherwise).

ACCOMMODATION

We have negotiated cheaper rates at the two nearest hotels to Santepheap.

TIME ZONE

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) +7 hours
Summer time March – October CET/MEZ + 5 hours
Winter time November – February CET/MEZ + 6 hours

ELECTRICITY

220 volts/50 Hz is available in most cities 24 hours. In remote areas power cuts are possible during the night and it is recommended to bring along a flash light / torch.

Electric plug details:

European plug with two circular metal pins / Japanese or USA plug with two parallel flat blades

TELEPHONE SERVICES

There are no coin operated phones in Cambodia (Cambodian currency has no coins). In Phnom Penh though, there are card phones available throughout the city. The required cards are available at many outlets. There are also several mobile phone systems.

Country Code: +855

VACCINATIONS AND ANTI MALARIAL DRUGS

For information on required and recommended vaccinations, please consult your local doctor and/or travel clinic at least 6 weeks before your departure.

HEALTH

Very good hospitals are now available in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

Private Doctors and pharmacies are available in most cities. Most major tourist

destinations, such as Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, are said to be free of Malaria, but you cannot be 100% sure.

For the evenings it is recommended to wear long sleeve shirts and long pants and to apply insect repellent to prevent from mosquito bites. Prevention is better and no anti-malarial drugs are completely foolproof. The key viral disease is Dengue Fever, which is transmitted by mosquitoes which bite during the day unlike the malaria mosquitoes.

You must fully acquaint yourself with the requirements of your Travel and Medical Insurance Company in case it is necessary for you to obtain their agreement prior to treatment. They may require you to telephone them on a special emergency telephone line, so discuss this with them before you leave your home country. Please ensure that you have sufficient cash with you on your visit to a doctor or The International Medical Clinic as the Volunteer Project staff are poor people and cannot afford to pay for you.

On arrival at the Project volunteers are required to show the Project Manager their Travel and Medical Insurance Certificate. Volunteers are not accepted if they do not have Travel and Medical Insurance that is in date to the end of their time at the project and in their name.

You will also be required to give next of kin contact details in case of accident or illness.

TRAVEL WEATHER

Cambodia's tropical climate is affected by the monsoon. The dry season is from November to April. During the rainy season from May to October, the south-west Monsoon brings heavy rain and humidity. However, it doesn’t rain every day and on days when it does, the rain is limited to one or two downpours a day and it is cooler which can be nice for volunteers from cool countries. You may want to bring short/ankle length wellingtons for when the side roads are muddy.

CLOTHING

Lightweight, loose-fitting cotton or preferably clothing made from ‘wicking’ material which ‘breathes’ is recommended and long-sleeved items should be included for protection from mosquitoes and the sun. During the rainy season an umbrella is more convenient than a rain coat. A cardigan or lightweight jacket may be needed in hotels and restaurants using excessive air-conditioning. A high factor sun cream is recommended as we are not that far from the Equator!

FOOD & DRINKS

Khmer cuisine is closely related to other Asian countries, but not very spicy. The typical Khmer dishes are rice, fish, curries and soups with beef, pork, poultry and tasty sauces. Western style food is provided widely in the major cities. Also other Asian dishes are available (Chinese, Korean, Thai, Japanese, and Vietnamese). Please do not drink tap water. Purified bottled water is available everywhere. Soft drinks are also widely sold as well as locally brewed and imported beers. All restaurants use bottled water for making tea etc and ice cubes are also made with bottled water.

The most popular Khmer Dishes are: Amok (coconut fish or chicken steamed in banana leaves) or Lok Lak (Beef chunks in gravy on tomatoes and onions, topped with a fried egg). Most dishes come with steamed rice.

GENERAL TRAVEL ADVICE

For visiting temples or pagodas, shorts (which cover the knees) and T-shirts are acceptable. However, for visiting the Silver Pagoda and the Royal Palace, visitors are asked to dress more formally.